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Emergency Response Training

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Understanding the “Why”
Concentric Rings of Security
Situational Awareness
Emergency Action Planning
Run, Hide, Fight
Aftermath
Questions and Wrap-Up

Agenda:

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Understanding the “Why”

This presentation is not meant to �instill fear, create emotional stress, �or bring anxiety…

Instead, this training is an opportunity. It’s a chance to become more aware and prepared. �The more prepared we are, �the safer we will be.

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Understanding the “Why”

Forebrain

Thinking part of the brain - controls reasoning, problem solving, etc.

Midbrain and Hindbrain

Feeling and survival parts of the brain – fight, flight, or freeze – body goes into survival mode

Mental Blueprinting

The fight-flight-freeze response is a physiological reaction to potential danger that involves the amygdala, the hypothalamus, and the autonomic nervous system. The amygdala is the part of the brain that senses fear and sends signals to the hypothalamus, which activates the autonomic nervous system to prepare the body for action. The brainstem is another part of the brain that puts the body in survival mode by triggering the fight, flight, or freeze state.

Let's take a look at our brain and how it contributes to how we respond:

Forebrain – The thinking part of the brain – largest and most complex part of the brain – it controls executive functions, reasoning, problem solving, and access to your creative genius.

Midbrain – The feeling part of the brain where emotions are experienced – when engaged, there is LESS connection to the forebrain.

Hindbrain – The survival part of the brain – controls the fight or flight instinct – when engaged, there is NO connection to the forebrain.

Why do you think this is important to know? This is important because when we are in a space where we have "access" to the forebrain, we can develop responses to situations that are challenging before they happen. This leads us to our next process...

“Mental blueprinting” allows us to start the process of planning during emergent events when there is no emergency.

You can access your forebrain during this time for the information that is needed, when you do not have access to reason or to creatively see your way through emergencies.

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First active shooter scenario took place in �the 1960’s
Of all active shooter incidents, 70% occurred in either a business or educational environment
In all but 2 of the incidents, the shooters chose to act alone
Shooters have a high rate of suicidal ideology – most walk in knowing they �won’t make it out

Statistics

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Concentric Rings of Security

Inner

Middle

Outer

Concentric rings of protection are designed to deter, detect, and defend against threats or attacks.

Having multiple levels of 360-degree protection is key.

Inner – area that we are keeping the most secure
Middle – most activity takes place here – still have controls in place in this middle ring
Outer – largest area – need to detect issues and identify problems – outermost layer of protection
Need to make the outer ring as large as possible, while still staying in control

Note: If too big, the outer ring could become white noise if no one’s paying attention

Give examples of concentric rings:

Inner Ring example: Inside the office

Door Keypads, Security Cameras, Security Guards at the Front Desk
Do we change the keypads or security codes for various entry ways when someone no longer works in our office space?

Middle Ring example: The front entrance/doors

Are there cameras at the front entrance and exit doors?
Can people just walk in and go to any floor, whether by staircase or elevator?
Is there a swipe entry/ID card needed?
Are there signs to direct people to the right location within the building if the building hosts more than one entity?
If there are staircases, are there cameras at the staircases?

Outer Ring Example: The Parking Lot/Street

Do we have the ability to deny space if we see danger?

Do we have cameras that can clearly capture the activity that is going on in the parking lot?
Do we have someone always patrolling the parking lot or have someone always monitoring the parking lot cameras?

Depending on many factors like Federal and Local Government Laws, Company Policies, Building Policies, and budgets, some of these preparations may not be ideal for your place of work or it may take time to incorporate. This is why Situational Awareness is so important.

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Rings of Security - Activity

Let’s get up and look at this office in detail…�

We are going to:

Identify the circles of security for this location
Review safety measures and features of the building
Point out areas of vulnerability and deterrents

Activity: Review slide

Trainer will take participants on a tour of the building to review/note the Rings of Security. (15-20 minutes)

Inner – area that we are keeping the most secure
Middle – most activity takes place here – still have controls in place in this middle ring
Outer – largest area – need to detect issues and identify problems – outermost layer of protection
Need to make the outer ring as large as possible, while still staying in control

Note: If too big, the outer ring could become white noise if no one’s paying attention

Reminder noter: Depending on many factors like Federal and Local Government Laws, Company Policies, Building Policies, and budgets, some of these preparations may not be ideal for your place of work or it may take time to incorporate. This is why Situational Awareness is so important.

Debrief Activity

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Situational Awareness

“Situational awareness means being aware of what is happening around you, and understanding how information, events, and one’s own actions will impact the situation, both immediately and in the near future.” �

– Shelley Klingerman�Vigilance: The Savvy Woman’s Guide to Personal Safety, Self-Protection Measures, and Countermeasures

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Situational Awareness Test #1

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Tips on How to Develop Situational Awareness

Scan Your Surroundings

Become a “Hard Target”

Minimize Distractions

Protect Your Back

Visualize Scenarios

Trust Your Gut

Here are a few of our tips and some habits you can develop to help yourself become more situationally aware:

Scan Your Surroundings
One of the biggest parts of Situational Awareness is learning how to actively scan your surroundings and notice the warning signs of a dangerous situation. This is especially true when you are in a new situation or environment. However, even if you are somewhere familiar, it is still important to always be on alert. Take notice of the people around you. Do they seem normal or are they acting suspiciously? Is there anything happening around you that doesn’t seem right? Take a mental note of where your exits are and how to get to them, just in case. Eventually, this will become a natural process that you do everywhere you go.
Become a Hard Target
Predators want an easy target. Someone who looks weak, confused, and unaware. So, one of the best ways to keep yourself safe in any situation is to become a hard target. Look and act confident, even when you aren’t. Keep your head up, shoulders back and always look around and appear alert. Body language plays a huge role in the way others perceive us and can be the thing that ultimately protects you.
Minimize Distractions
If you’re distracted, you’re not practicing situational awareness. How often do you walk down the street with your phone in hand, listening to music or scrolling social media? By doing this, you’re not paying attention to what is going on around you and decreasing your situational awareness. It’s important that when you go anywhere, you minimize the distractions and are aware of what’s happening around you.
Protect Your Back
Attackers often get to their victims by sneaking up behind them. We don’t have eyes in the back of our head and our back is one of our biggest blind spots. Utilize walls and other barriers to protect your back while also maximizing your field of vision to scan your surroundings. You can also get creative. For example, using your phone as a mirror to see what is behind you is an easy, low-key way to have 360-degree awareness.
Visualize Scenarios
Practicing situational awareness also means being prepared for any dangerous situation you might encounter. To do this, start playing out different scenarios in your head. Before you enter a situation, start asking yourself questions like, “If I were to be attacked here, how would I react? What would I do and how would I escape?” While you hope none of these scenarios ever happen in real life, visualizing your response keeps you better prepared and helps you pay closer attention to warning signs.
Trust Your Gut
Ultimately, trust your gut. If you are scanning your surroundings and start to feel uneasy about something, don’t just brush it off. There is more than likely a valid reason for why you are feeling that way. That gut feeling is an instinct meant to protect you. It’s always better to be cautious, rather than put yourself at risk.

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Levels of Awareness

When it comes to situational awareness, Colonel Jeff Cooper, a US Marine, created an approachable and memorable way of training ourselves to become more aware. The guide you see here is called “Cooper’s Color Code.” Each level of awareness is associated with a color – from white to red. This guide does not address just your awareness level, but also your state of mind.
Let’s take a look at each level together:

White – Total unawareness

This is a difficult and sometimes dangerous level because those who operate in the white stage are often carefree, too relaxed, and simply unaware of the world around them. Staying at this stage for a long period of time can leave us unprepared for a sudden emergency.

Yellow – Relaxed awareness

This stage encourages us to be mindful of our environment and surroundings while not being overly alert. In this stage, our head is up, and we are noticing details around us including exits, an escape plan, layout, and more.

Orange – Alert

This stage is when we notice a specific threat or situation that brings about heightened alertness. In this stage, we start to come up with ways to handle and respond to the threat. It’s important to remember that not every “threat” is truly dangerous. However, it’s better to be prepared than not.

Red – Engaged and ready to defend

This final stage is the result of the orange-level threat. Stage red is when we take action against the perceived issue. Keep in mind that this stage is mentally and physically exhausting as we are giving our intense concentration and effort.

“The ultimate goal is to maintain a Condition Yellow in our daily lives. This is the base level of awareness and the springboard for any further escalations in conditions. Staying at Condition Yellow in everyday life allows us to be aware of our surroundings and better protect ourselves from threats.”

Resource: https://safety4sea.com/cm-coopers-color-code-what-is-your-awareness-level/

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Situational Awareness – Activity

In your group, read the scenario and visualize yourself there. Write down all the things that are coming to your awareness.
As a group, create a response plan to the scenario. What is your next step to ensure your safety?
Be prepared to share your scenario and plan of action with the group.

Introduce Situational Activity to the trainees.

Split the group into smaller groups – no more than 5 groups total.
Pass out a scenario card to each group.
Ask that they write down important details when it comes to the environment and situation at hand.
As a group, create a response plan to the scenario and share next steps.
Have teams share scenarios and response plan with the whole group.

Scenario 1

You are on a fun vacation to the Big Apple (NY). You are headed to Central Park for the first time and are unsure if you are heading in the right direction. While checking maps on your phone and looking up at every street sign, you notice an individual who appears to be homeless is watching you. The individual is now walking at the same speed as you are and in the same direction.

Scenario 2

You are at your desk and you hear a customer yelling at someone in the lobby of your office. Just one or two minutes later, you hear a loud crash.

Scenario 3

You leave your desk during the workday to head to the restroom. While walking down the hallway, you smell something that resembles a burning smell.

Scenario 4

You are driving to work and traveling your normal route. You see the car behind you get into the passing lane and proceed to accelerate way past the speed limit. They have now passed you and you see the car swerving and now slowing down.

Scenario 5

You and your family are attending a baseball game at your local stadium. During the third inning, you hear loud talking coming from two rows behind you. It seems two people are engaging in an argument. These people seem to be escalating quickly and have now begun yelling, cursing, and invading each other’s personal space.

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Situational Awareness Test #2

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Have well-defined goals and objectives planned and ready in case an incident occurs
There are measures to take before, during, and after an event takes place:

Emergency Action Plan (EAP)

Before

Training – �active shooter, CPR/First Aid

Watch for cues of potential violent behavior

During

Maintain situational awareness

Plan of response or EAP

After

Stop the Bleed

Communication Plan

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Run, Hide, Fight - Video

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Developed by a U.S. Air Force strategist for fighter pilots, the OODA Loop is a process to assess confusing or rapidly evolving situations.

OODA Loop

OBSERVE the situation

ORIENT yourself to the reality of your surroundings, eliminating your assumptions and biases

DECIDE what you’re going to do

ACT confidently with your ongoing awareness

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Run, Hide, Fight – The Basics

Quickly determine the most reasonable way to protect your own life
During a life-threatening incident, 80% is mental and 20% is physical

Ability vs. capability

Under survival stress, people can sometimes do things they never thought possible
Customers and participants are likely to follow the lead of employees/leaders during an active shooter situation

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Getting away from the shooter is the top priority
Have an escape plan in mind
Leave your personal belongings – do not go back for anything
If safe to do so, warn others nearby
Call 911 when you’re safe

Describe the shooter, their location, weapons, etc.

Run

Getting Off the “X” - Identify the Exits and Map Out Places to Hide: Messaging should focus on encouraging individuals to know two exits at every place they visit and to locate places to hide, including rooms that have solid doors with locks, rooms that don’t have windows, and rooms that have heavy furniture like large filing cabinets and desks. Messaging should also include differentiating between cover and concealment.
Be sure to:

• Have an escape route and plan in mind

• Evacuate regardless of whether others agree to follow

• Leave your belongings behind

• Help others escape, if possible

• Prevent individuals from entering an area where the active shooter may be

• Keep your hands visible to responding law enforcement

• Follow the instructions of any law enforcement officers

• Do not attempt to move wounded people

• Call 911 when you are safe

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If an active shooter was in the office right now:

Where are the best exits?
Where do you run to?
How could you get help?

Run – Let’s think…

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If you cannot get away safely, find a place to hide
Find a place out of the shooter’s view and stay quiet
Lock and blockade doors, close blinds, and turn off lights

Visual barriers make a difference!

Do NOT hide in groups – spread out along walls and hide separately
Stay in place until you notice all immediate danger is clear

Hide

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If an active shooter was in the office right now:

How would you protect yourself in the room?
Where would you hide?
What could you utilize in the room to help you stay safe?
What measures could you take to ensure you remain quiet and unseen?

Hide – Let’s think…

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Your last resort is to defend yourself
Commit to your actions and act aggressively to stop the shooter
Fighting includes:

Ambushing the shooter �with others
Locating potential weapons
Using makeshift weapons �to distract, disarm, or harm

Fight for your life!

Fight

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If an active shooter was in the office right now:

How would you protect yourself and fight?
What could you utilize in the room to fight?
What are some tactics to ambush or surprise the shooter?

Fight – Let’s think…

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You are the first responder…
Call 911

Can help coach you through a �life-threatening situation

Stop the Bleed

Utilize steady, firm pressure or a tourniquet
A person who is bleeding can die from blood loss within five minutes
Stop the Bleed kits are available

Aftermath - First Aid

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Aftermath

Expect mass confusion and panic after an incident has occurred
Know that law enforcement’s first task is to end the incident

Follow their instructions and keep hands up, visible, and empty

Dealing with stress and trauma after a situation takes months, sometimes years

Utilize employee assistance programs and critical incident stress management to help people heal from trauma

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Emergency Action Plan

Share example

Active Shooter Planning Team

Contacts, numbers, personal information, and a “go bag”

Follow-up Stop the Bleed Training

NAR Stop the Bleed Kits �(North American Rescue)
First Responder Kits

Resources

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

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Thank You

Are there any questions?

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